Kerala - Kollam   

Amritanandamayi Math plans major project for suicide prevention

Staff Reporter

Math to launch scheme for rehabilitation of sex workers

SERVICE IS HER MOTTO: Mata Amritanandamayi addressing a press conference at Amritapuri, near Kollam, on Friday.

KOLLAM: The Mata Amritanandamayi Math will soon launch two major campaigns — one for reforming those with suicidal tendencies and the other for rehabilitating sex workers.

Addressing presspersons at Amritapuri on Friday, the Mata said that while the focus of the suicide prevention campaign will be on Kerala, the rehabilitation work will be concentrated in Mumbai and Kolkata.

She said that the project was scheduled to be launched early this year. But then the tsunami devastation warranted the Math to give priority to the relief and rehabilitation measures for the tsunami victims. The Mata said that a recent survey had shown that a good number of those lured or exploited as sex workers were in the age group of 8-13 and these girls need to be saved and rehabilitated.

On the occasion of her birthday celebrations at Amritapuri on Tuesday, the keys of 550 houses built at Alapad will be handed over to those who had lost their houses in the tsunami. The Math is constructing 6,200 houses for the tsunami victims in India and Sri Lanka. The construction of 825 houses has been completed. The remaining will be completed within four months.

In Tamil Nadu, the land for constructing the houses is yet to be handed over to the Math. The Math is also constructing roads, schools, community halls and health care centres. At Alapad, the Math is constructing 1,650 houses.

The Mata said she had no complaints against any Government. Her aim is to offer to society whatever she can. At Alapad the Math has launched Matru Gramam project through which assistance is provided to self-help groups. Through its Green Shore project, the Math is planting 1,00,000 saplings on the beach at Alapad. When grown, these trees will act as a breakwater, protecting the shore. The Math is also engaged in free counselling to the tsunami victims.

The Mata said that her devotees in the United States will be contributing $1 million for rehabilitating those affected by the Katrina hurricane. The contributions will be made by the U.S.- based Mata Amritanandamayi Centres.

She said that though she is averse to making prophecies, she had in 2002 a vision that 2004-end and 2005 will witness major natural calamities.

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